Swimming pool coping



Oct. 27, 1970 FONTANA I SWIMMING POOL COPING Filed NOV. 8. .1968

i I N VENIOR.

United States Patent US. Cl. 52177 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coping for an outdoor swimming pool, the coping being formed by a course of interfitting modules. Each module is constituted by a slab preferably molded of plastic material and having an apron projecting from its front end which is contoured to snugly receive the rear end of an adjoining module, the apron covering the joint therebetween. Embedded in the slab and extending forwardly from the front end thereof beyond the apron, are mounting lugs to permit the module to be attached to a framework, the rear end of the slab having slots formed therein to accommodate the lugs of an adjoining module whereby the interfitted modules all lie flat on the framework.

This invention relates generally to copings for outdoor swimming pools, and more particularly to a coping created by interfitting preformed modules which are secured to a framework without the need for cement or other bonding agents subject to attack by water, ice, or chemicals.

The modern outdoor swimming pool is no longer a luxury seen only on wealthy estates, but, like the automatic Washing machine and the television set, is fast becoming a standard appendage to even the most modest middle-class suburban or rural homes. The application of tiled surfaces to construct such outdoor pools is far too expensive, and the need has arisen for low-cost techniques for producing pools capable of withstanding the various climatic changes encountered in the course of the year.

One commonly used technique for constructing lowcost outdoor pools is to excavate a pit of suitable size and depth, and to set up along the vertical sides thereof a wooden framework which is then covered with plywood to provide a backing for a waterproof plastic liner. This pool liner is generally made of vinyl or other flexible, highstrength sheeting, the lip of the liner being secured to the upper periphery of the framework. To complete the pool, the lip of the liner is covered with a border or coping generally by means of concrete blocks, bricks or other heavy structural elements which are cemented in place.

The difliculty with such coping constructions is that not only are they relatively expensive to install, but they are also subject to attack by conditions encountered in the pool environments. Thus in northern climates, water seeping into the crevices of the coping may, when the temperature drops, freeze into ice and crack or otherwise impair the coping. Moreover, the sterilizing chemicals used in pools gradually erode the coping material as well as the grouting used in the joints to hold coping blocks in place.

Accordingly, it is the main object of the invention to provide a novel coping constituted by interfitting preformed plastic modules which are firmly secured to the framework by nails or bolts without the need for cement or other bonding agents.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a technique for economically producing coping modules which are attractive, long-lasting, and inexpensive.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished in a coping formed by interfitting modules, each of which is molded from plastic material and is provided at the front end with 3,535,840 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 "Ice an integral apron which is adapted to snugly receive the rear end of an adjoining module, the resultant joint being covered and protected by the apron. Embedded in the module and projecting from the front end thereof are mounting lugs having holes therein whereby the module may be attached by nails or bolts to the underlying frame, the rear end of each module having base recesses to accommodate the lugs extending from the front end of the adjacent module.

For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a linear coping module in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the front or skirt end of the module;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the rear end of the module;

FIG. 4 is a section taken in the plane indicated by line 4-4- in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken in the plane indicated by line 55 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section taken through a pair of interfitted modules illustrating the manner in which the modules are secured in place;

FIG. 7 shows in plan view a curved or corner module providing a turn to interconnect two courses of linear modules; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective View, partly in section, showing the manner in which an outdoor pool is constructed.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 8, in building an outdoor pool, a pit of suitable size and depth is dug in the ground. The floor of the pit is covered with a layer 10 of sand. Constructed along the vertical sides of the pit is a framework formed of lumber pieces, the framework being generally designated by numeral 11. The upper periphery of the framework is defined by horizontally extending planks 12. Vertical walls about the pit are formed by plywood boards 13 attached to the framework pieces. The areas behind the boards are filled with dirt.

Nestled within the pit is a plastic liner 14 whose vertical sulfaces lie against the plywood boards, the liner being waterproof and serving as a container for the pool water. The liner is fabricated of vinyl sheeting or other highstrength, flexible thermoplastic material suitable for this purpose. The flange or lip 14A of the liner is adhered to the horizontal planks 12 along the upper periphery of the framework.

Overlying lip 14A to form a border or coping about the pool are modules, the long sides and end sections of the coping being formed by courses of linear modules ML, and the four corners by curved modules MC which link the sides to the end sections, FIG. 1 showing one linear module ML, and FIG. 7 showing a curved module MC. Modules ML and MC are shaped to provide a rectangular coping for a pool having a rectangular configuration. It is to be understood however, that for copings of other configurations, the modules may be appropriately shaped to provide the desired coping configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, each linear module ML is constituted by a generally rectangular slab whose base is perfectly flat, but whose face is sloped along a curve, whereby the inner marginal portion of the module forms a thickened rim 15. A row of diamond-shaped bosses 16 formed on the upper face provides a gripping surface to prevent slipping. The pattern of these bosses is a matter of choice, for any type of corrugation is suitable.

Formed integrally with the slab and projecting from the front end thereof, is an apron 17 whose profile follows the cross-sectional curvature of the slab. Embedded in the module ML and extending from the front end thereof,

are a pair of spaced lugs 18 and 19, the extended portions thereof being flush with the base of the module and going beyond apron 17 to provide access thereto when mounting the module. Holes 18a and 19a are formed in these lugs to accommodate nails or bolts, preferably of stainless steel or other metal resistant to rust and chemical attack.

At the rear end of the module are a pair of recesses or slots 20 and 21 indented in the base thereof, the slots being in line with lugs 18 and 19. To join two modules ML, the rear end of one is inserted within the apron of the other, as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting lugs extending from the front end of the one module being received within the slots in the rear end of the adjoining module. All that is necessary to attach the module to the framework, are nails or bolts, such as nail 22, which enters the hole in lug 18 and is driven into plank 12.

Thus the seam between the adjoining modules ML is protectively covered by apron 17. While the apron is shown as being stepped above the face of the module slab, the module may also be formed so that the upper surface of the apron is coplanar with the face of the slab, in which event the rear end of the module must have a depression formed therein to accommodate an apron.

The construction of the corner module MC, as shown in FIG. 7, is essentially the same as that of a linear module ML, except that it is curved so that its front or apron end from which the lugs 18 and 19 extend, lies at right angles to the rear end containing the lug-receiving slots 20 and 21. This configuration is necessary in order to connect the ends of the rectangular coping with the long sides thereof. In order properly to anchor the corner modules, the mounting lugs are not sufficient for this purpose. Hence these modules are provided with bores at intermediate portions to receive bolts 23 and 24 which pass through the upper planks of the framework.

Coping modules of the type described above are fabricated from thermoplastic binder material which may be an inexpensive polyester, a polyolefin, or other resin, with chopped nylon fibers or glass fibers embedded therein. In making a module, the binder powder and fibers are thoroughly intermixed and then heated in a mold of appropriate shape. The resultant module is of high impact strength and is long-lasting, the module being capable of withstanding rigorous poolside treatment. Modules of this construction are lightweight, as well as being impervious to water and ice, and are unaffected by the normal range of temperatures encountered in regions which lend themselves to outdoor pools.

While the coping illustrated has been described for use in conjunction with outdoor pools, it will be evident that similar constructions may be used in other applications requiring a low-cost, long-lived border of high strength.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of swimming-pool coping in accordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A coping for a swimming pool having a framework whose upper border is defined by horizontal planks, said coping being formed by interfitting modules, each module being constituted by a molded solid slab of synthetic plastic material whose base is flat and whose upper face is contoured to provide a thickened marginal rim, the cross-sectional area of said slab being uniform throughout its length except for an apron projecting from its front end, which apron is raised relative to said upper face and is contoured to snugly receive the rear end of an adjoining module, the apron covering the joint therebetween and protecting the joint against water seepage, mounting lugs being embedded in said solid slab and extending forwardly from the front end of said slab beyond the apron, said lugs having openings therein in the portion beyond the apron to permit the module to be attached to the upper border of said framework, the rear end of said slab having slots formed therein to accommodate the lugs of an adjoining module.

2. A coping as set forth in claim 1, having a rectangular configuration, the ends and long sides of the coping being formed of linear modules, the corner being formed by curved modules in which the front end is at right angles to the rear end.

3. A coping as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper face has bosses formed thereon to improve traction.

4. A coping as set forth in claim 1, wherein the modules are molded of a mixture of a thermoplastic binder material and chopped fibers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 931,922 8/1909 Grenzebach 52-300 1,461,182 7/1923 Engeset 52-520 X 1,884,822 10/1932 Parker 52-300 X 2,729,093 1/1956 Ridley 52-102 3,335,429 8/1967 Arp 52-169 X 3,440,780 4/1069 Adam et al. 52-588 X 3,464,067 9/1969 Hauck 52-177 X PRICE C. FAW, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

